What
to buy, what to buy. Being Santa can be
a lot of work when we search out the best finds for our family and friends and
nestle them beneath the tree in anticipation of the great unwrapping of 2012. If you feel like you’re in a gift rut or just
cannot seem to come up with applicable gifts even for the next gift exchange or
as a hostess gift during this holiday party season, here are some thoughts that
are all ready for wrapping.
Keep
an eye out for items that would be put to use in the home of your gift
recipients. A nice set of glasses,
whether flutes in a unique shape or juice glasses with a little flair, could
make their next party or even breakfast a little more festive. Small decorations like candlesticks,
bookends, ceramic bowls, and metallic vases or candle holders would surely find
a sweet spot on a shelf or tabletop.
Soften their sitting area with a plush throw blanket or embellished
accent pillow. Guest soaps, a set of
coasters, a wine bottle bag, or serving utensils for cheese, pie, or salad
could be just the thing to bring a little holiday cheer to a hostess who is
graciously serving up Christmas dishes.
For
the tech savvy, there is a slew of small and simple and yet desirable products
to fill gift boxes and stockings alike.
Small portable speakers that attach to smart phones and music players
can help their tunes travel. There are
other little stands and cushions that attach to devices to give them a lift
while in hands-free use. Universal
adaptors and chargers can keep the multi-unit owner running on full power.
The
kitchen guru would likely love to receive a special set of olive oils or
syrups. Fancy kitchen hand soaps of the
pump bottle variety would surely stay on display. A designer pitcher or carafe, set of
appetizer plates, or set of 4 modern coffee mugs would take their place among
the kitchen accessories.
For
the active gift recipient, travel books or fun fact books can be
appealing. A retro game of the board or
card variety or some other tabletop activity could pull a crowd together for
plenty of laughter and fun over trivia or word games to guess or solve. A travel clock or sound machine could offer
more than sweet dreams.
Personalizing
a simple gift with a mix of your knowledge of your gift recipient and your own
personality can illicit “oohhs” and “aahhs” when pretty packages are unwrapped
and revealed. Christmas gifts are not
about the pretty penny you could spend; they are a thoughtful token to acknowledge
that you care and you remembered at this time of year and always.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 9th.
